The Ubuntu Touch smartphone OS has come a long way, but it still has further to plod before it's ready for market - all Canonical will tell us that it hopes to see an Ubuntu phone before the end of this year. Nevertheless, now that some phone manufacturers are on board with the project, we've been able to play with a couple of prototypes: One was just a non-functioning handset from a Spanish company called BQ, showing off plain but solid build quality reflective of a mid-tier device. The other was more interesting - a re-purposed Android handset from a second Ubuntu partner, Meizu, which makes light work of the operating system and interface.

My personal opinion is that lately, unlike in the beginning, Canonical's attitude of fighting everyone and fighting alone has alienated many of its supporters, myself included.

I largely agree, however, if I can get an Ubuntu phone that's relatively inexpensive I will. I want one, a Linux phone that updates, I control and use as a computer appeals to me. Canonical's strategy looks high risk and probably a mistake, but that wouldn't stop me from getting their phone and just maybe they know what they are doing